Multifunctional image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional image forming apparatus includes: a communication device communicable with a server providing a service related to image formation with the user; a display operation device having a display function, for receiving a user operation; and an image forming unit for forming an image in response to a user instruction received through the display operation device. The multifunctional image forming apparatus receives an input operation by the user through the display operation device, displays a screen in accordance with the input operation and, in addition, executes a user registration process for the service provided by the server through communication with the server through the communication device, and displays a screen thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Division of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/597,945 filed on Jan. 15, 2015, which is a Division of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/475,627 filed on May 18, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,953,183 issued Feb. 10, 2015, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) of Patent Application No. 2011-113129 filed in Japan onMay 20, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a network print system including aserver generating print data from electronic data received from a clientapparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a client) and an imageforming apparatus printing the print data. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a multifunctional image forming apparatusused in the network print system that can save user's troubles in theprocess of transmitting electronic data from the client and in theprocess of printing by the image forming apparatus.

Description of the Background Art

Recently, provision of a system called network print system is becomingpopular. In the network print system, a user uploads electronic data toa network print server (print data generation server) provided on theInternet, and requests generation of the print data. Then, the userdownloads the print data from the server to an image forming apparatusinstalled at a public space such as a convenience store and has the dataprinted.

Using such a system, it becomes possible for an individual not having aprinter to print high-quality documents. Therefore, rapid-spread of thesystem use was expected. Actually, however, penetration of the system isvery late. Possible reasons are as follows.

In order to use such service, it is necessary for the user to register adocument file with the server. In addition, in order to fully utilizethe services provided by the system, it is necessary to have userregistration before using the services. The registration procedure takessome time and, therefore, a busy user tends to avoid such trouble.

As a solution to such a problem, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.2005-129007 (hereinafter referred to as '007 Reference) discloses asystem in which, though user authentication is required when using aprint server, a portable memory connectable to a client is provided andnecessary pieces of information required for user authentication are allcontained in the portable memory. Since user authentication takes placeevery time the user uses the print server, the print server can manageelectronic data user by user. When the user accesses the print serverfrom an image forming apparatus installed at a convenient store or thelike, the user authentication also takes place using the same portablememory. The print server is capable of displaying a list of print datarelated only to the user on the image forming apparatus. The user canselect the print data generated by the print server and have the dataprinted, by the similar procedure as when he/she selects a documentusing a general personal computer.

Though the system described in '007 Reference can save the trouble oflog-in process after user registration, user registration itself must bedone in the same manner as before. Therefore, the scheme proposed by'007 Reference is not effective to encourage users who has difficulty tomake time for user registration to use the system.

Recently, as a system similar to the print service described above, aservice referred to as cloud service has come to be popular. In thecloud service, data that has been saved in the user's own computer issaved in a server on the Internet, data that has been saved in theserver on the Internet is printed, or an application stored in theserver on the Internet is executed on a local computer. Therefore, wideruse of the system is expected in the future. In order to use the cloudservice, user registration is indispensable. Therefore, problems relatedto user registration for the print service as described above also arisein relation to the cloud service. In this regard, the print service canbe considered as one type of cloud service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is preferable to provide a multifunctional image formingapparatus enabling easier user registration for a remote service.

The present invention provides a multifunctional image forming apparatus(hereinafter referred to as an MFP) including: a communication deviceconfigured to enable a registered user to communicate with a serverproviding a service related to image formation; a display operationdevice having a display device, for receiving a user operation; and animage forming device configured to execute image formation in responseto a user instruction received through the display operation device. TheMFP is characterized in that a user registration process for the serviceprovided by the server is executed by communicating with the serverthrough the communication device, upon reception of an input operationby the user through the display operation device.

User registration for a specific service can be done using the displayoperation device of the MFP. In order to have the user registration forthe specific service, it is unnecessary for the user to search for aspecific web page or to input specific URL for user registration on theuser's own PC. By the MFP used for image formation, user registrationfor the specific service can be done easily.

Preferably, in the MFP, the user registration process is started whenthe user starts a process different from the user registration process,by the display operation device.

When the user starts a process different from the user registrationprocess on the MFP, the user registration process starts. It isunnecessary for the user to intentionally start the user registrationprocess. By way of example, user registration can be done using sparetime such as the wait time for the print from a file by the MFP.

Preferably, the MFP further includes a connecting device allowingdetachable connection of a portable external storage device, and theuser registration process is started in response to a user instructionreceived through the display operation device to print a file saved inthe external storage device connected to the connecting device.

If a file is stored in the external storage device and printing of thefile is to be done by the multifunctional image forming apparatus,printing takes some time. Therefore, by starting the user registrationprocess in such a situation where execution of such a process isexpected, it becomes possible to complete user registration effectivelyutilizing the spare time.

Preferably, the MFP further includes: a connecting device allowingdetachable connection of a portable external storage device; and adocument reading device reading an image on a document and outputtingdocument data. The user registration process is started in response toan instruction to save document data output by the document readingdevice reading the document, in the external storage device connected tothe connecting device, from the display operation device.

When the multifunctional image forming apparatus is provided with thedocument reading device, reading of a document takes some time. Byexecuting the user registration process utilizing this time period, itbecomes possible for the user to complete user registration for usingthe service, effectively using the time.

Preferably, in the MFP, display of a state of image formation by theimage forming apparatus and a user registration screen for the serviceare both displayed on the display operation device.

Preferably, the MFP further includes a connection device to which aportable external storage device can be detachably connected, and inresponse to completion of the user registration process, informationassisting access to the service is registered in the external storagedevice connected to the connecting device.

When user registration is completed, a piece of information assistingaccess is registered in the external device. Access to the service nexttime is made easier by this piece of information.

Preferably, the MFP starts the user registration process for the serviceif a specific instruction is given by the user, and does not start theuser registration process if other instruction is given by the user.

Among the users using the multifunctional image forming apparatus, somemay not use the service provided by the remote server but simply makecopies. Therefore, of the functions provided by the image formingapparatus, if a function often used by a user who is likely to use theserver service is executed, the user registration process is started,and if a function often used by a user who is not likely to use theserver service is executed, the user registration process is notstarted. In this manner, depending on the function used by the user, anappropriate guidance for user registration can be presented while anunwanted guidance is not given.

More preferably, the image forming service allows setting of a defaultprinting device for the user. The multifunctional image formingapparatus further includes an instructing device instructing setting ofthe multifunctional image forming apparatus to be the default printingdevice, when the user registration process is executed.

The process for setting the multifunctional image forming apparatus tobe the default printing device can be executed simultaneously with theuser registration, and it is unnecessary to set the default printingdevice separately from the user registration process.

The multifunctional image forming apparatus further includes: adownloading device for downloading print data from the service; astorage device for storing the print data downloaded by the downloadingdevice, in accordance with an instruction from the service; and aprinting device for executing either the process for printing the printdata downloaded by the downloading device or the process for printingthe print data stored in the storage device, in accordance with aninstruction from the service.

By the multifunctional image forming apparatus, by the downloadingdevice and the storage device, the print data can be downloaded from theservice and stored. Further, by the function of the printing device,either the print data downloaded by the downloading device or the printdata stored in the storage device can selectively be printed. If it isknown in advance that the print data is to be printed by themultifunctional image forming apparatus, the print data may bedownloaded and stored in the storage device before receiving a printinstruction from the user, and then printing can be done using the printdata stored in advance without downloading the print data from theservice when the print instruction is given from the user. As a result,it becomes possible to save the time from when the user requestsgeneration of the print data on the multifunctional image formingapparatus until the actual print is obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, by the MFP usedfor image formation, user registration for a specific service can bedone easily. As a result, a multifunctional image forming apparatusallowing easier user registration for a service can be provided.

As the user registration process is adapted to start when the userstarts a process different from the user registration process on theMFP, it is unnecessary for the user to intentionally start the userregistration process. The user can complete the user registrationprocess effectively utilizing the spare time. For instance, when a fileis stored in the external storage device and printing of the file is tobe done on the multifunctional image forming apparatus, printing takessome time. Therefore, by starting the user registration process in asituation where execution of such a process is likely, it becomespossible to complete the user registration process while effectivelyusing the spare time of the user. Reading of a document by the documentreading device also takes some time. By executing the user registrationprocess using this time, it becomes possible for the user to completethe user registration for using a service, effectively using the time.

Further, a default printing device can be designated simultaneously withthe user registration, and hence, it is unnecessary to designate thedefault printing device separately from the user registration. If it isknown in advance on the service side which multifunctional image formingapparatus is used for printing the print data based, for example, on thedesignation of default printing device, the time from when the useractually instructs printing by the multifunctional image formingapparatus until the print is obtained can be made shorter.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of thenetwork print system in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of an MFP (Multiple FunctionPeripheral) as an example of the image forming apparatus in accordancewith the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a standby screen of the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a main routineof the program executed by the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a routine forthe print process constituting some steps of the program shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program forgenerating print data, activated by the server upon reception of a fileas an object of printing from the program shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program foruser registration, activated by the server when the program shown inFIG. 6 transmits a request for starting user registration process to theserver.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a screen displayed on the display device ofMFP when electronic data is printed using the server by the MFP shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a screen displayed by the MFP when the userregistration for the cloud service is started on the screen shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a screen displayed on the display device ofthe MFP when the user registration is completed.

FIG. 11 schematically shows main text of an electronic mail informingcompletion of the user registration, transmitted by the server to theuser who completed the user registration on the MFP.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the MFP in accordance with the first embodiment when theuser selects a scan process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program foruser registration, activated by the print server in response to a userregistration request transmitted by the MFP when the program shown inFIG. 12 is executed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program forproviding a service with the user who accessed the cloud service from asmart phone, in the print server of the system in accordance with thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 15 schematically shows a log-in screen when the user logs-in to thecloud service from a smart phone.

FIG. 16 schematically shows a screen for uploading a file displayed onthe smart phone after log-in to the cloud service.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server for realizing the process of uploading a file tothe server and printing.

FIG. 18 schematically shows a main text of an electronic mail issued bythe server, informing the user of the smart phone that generation ofprint data is completed.

FIG. 19 schematically shows a file download screen displayed on thesmart phone.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server for realizing the process for downloading a fileto the smart phone.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the MFP to enable use of the cloud service from the MFP.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server for providing the cloud service to the user ofthe MFP.

FIG. 23 schematically shows a log-in screen displayed by the MFP forlog-in from the MFP to the cloud service.

FIG. 24 schematically shows a screen displayed by the MFP after log-infrom the MFP to the cloud service.

FIG. 25 schematically shows an example of a screen displayed by the MFPwhen a file is printed utilizing the print service of the server.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the print server for providing the print service to the MFP.

FIG. 27 schematically shows a screen displayed by the MFP at the end ofprinting, after the print service from the server is used by the MFP.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a screen of the MFP when a document isscanned by the MFP and saved in a portable memory.

FIG. 29 schematically shows a control structure of a program executed bythe server when the user instructs scanning, in the system in accordancewith the first embodiment.

FIG. 30 schematically shows a screen displayed by the MFP at the end ofscanning.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted when the user selects printing of a file, in the MFP of thesystem in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program foruser registration executed by the server.

FIG. 33 schematically shows a screen urging registration for the cloudservice, displayed by the MFP at the time of executing scanning.

FIG. 34 schematically shows a screen displayed by the MFP when the userregistration for the cloud service is started on the screen shown inFIG. 33.

FIG. 35 schematically shows a screen displayed on the display device ofthe MFP when user registration is completed, in accordance with thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server for realizing the process for uploading a file tothe server, in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server, for providing the cloud service to the user ofMFP, in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the server when a request for printing a file is receivedfrom the MFP, in accordance with the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the drawings, the same componentsare denoted by the same reference characters. Therefore, detaileddescription thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment

[Configuration]

Referring to FIG. 1, cloud service 50 in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention includes a server 62 for providingthe cloud service, connected to the Internet 60. To cloud service 50, asmart phone 64, a client personal computer (hereinafter, personalcomputer will be simply denoted as “PC”) 66, MFPs 68, 70 and 72, anelectronic black board 74 and the like are connectable through theInternet 60, and each of these components can use services provided byserver 62. In the present embodiment, MFPs 68, 70 and 72 are apparatusesinstalled at public spaces such as a convenience store, and use by anunidentified number of users is expected.

As to the method of using the cloud service, the method is basically thesame regardless of the types of terminals. Therefore, in the following,use of the cloud service by MFP 68 and smart phone 64 will be mainlydescribed.

Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 68 includes: a control unit 92, which issubstantially a computer, including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), anROM (Read Only Memory) and an RAM (Random Access Memory), executing aprogram or programs for controlling various components; a communicationpath 90 connected to control unit 92; an operation display unit 100connected to control unit 92, for providing UI (User Interface) foroperating the MFP, including a liquid crystal display panel and variousswitches; an external storage device connecting unit 104, connectedthrough communication path 90 to control unit 92, including a connectorand an interface (hereinafter, “interface” will be simply denoted as“I/F”) allowing connection of an external storage device 106 (forexample, a USB memory, SD card or the like), for inputting/outputtingdata to/from the storage medium; a communication unit 96, connectedthrough communication path 90 to control unit 92 for providingconnection to the network (typically, to LAN (Local Area Network)connected to the Internet 60); an image forming unit 102 as a printengine, connected through communication path 90 to control unit 92,performing a process for forming (printing) an image on a prescribedmedium (typically, recording paper) under control of control unit 92; astorage unit 94 connected through communication path 90 to control unit92, for storing various electronic data, print data received from server62, and other data necessary for providing services; and a documentreading unit 98, connected through communication path 90 to control unit92, for scanning an image on a document, converting the result toelectronic image data and outputting to a module designated by controlunit 92.

Server 62 shown in FIG. 1 is a computer. Server 62 includes a CPU, anROM storing a boot program and the like, an RAM providing a temporarystorage area, a hard disk drive (HDD) as a non-volatile storage, a mediareader/writer allowing connection of a storage medium, a network I/Fproviding connection to the Internet 60 (see FIG. 1), a display I/F towhich a monitor is connected, and an input I/F connecting a keyboard anda mouse to server 62, all not shown as hardware. The CPU, ROM, RAM andHDD of server 62 are used for executing prescribed programs describedlater, as in a common computer.

Control unit 92 of MFP 68 is substantially a computer as describedabove, and includes a CPU, an ROM, an RAM, an HDD, a network I/Fproviding connection to the Internet 60, a display I/F to which amonitor is connected, and an input I/F connecting a keyboard and a mouseto control unit 92, all not shown. The CPU, ROM, RAM and HDD are usedfor executing prescribed programs described later, as in a commoncomputer.

FIG. 3 shows a standby screen 130 generally displayed on operationdisplay unit 100 of MFP 68. Standby screen 130 displays a copy button140, a scan button 142, a print button 144 and a cloud service button146. Copy button 140 activates a common copy function. Scan button 142activates a scan function of scanning a document and saving in anexternal storage device 106 (see FIG. 2) connected to external storagedevice connecting unit 104. Print button 144 activates a process fortransmitting electronic data stored in external storage device 106 toserver 62, downloading print data generated by server 62 to MFP 68, andprinting by MFP 68 on a recording medium (in most cases, paper medium).Finally, cloud service button 146 activates a function of accessing thecloud service provided by server 62 through MFP 68. In the cloudservice, in addition to printing in response to print button 144, thefunctions of saving a file and converting to print data, and printingthe converted print data by the MFP are provided. It is assumed thatuser registration is necessary to fully utilize the cloud service.

In the present embodiment, the devices and unite execute the followingprograms.

Referring to FIG. 4, the program executed by MFP 68 determines whetheror not the user has selected any of the buttons (copy button 140, scanbutton 142, print button 144 and cloud service button 146 shown in FIG.3) for selecting any of the functions. If buttons 140, 142, 144 and 146are selected, the control proceeds to steps 170, 172, 174 and 176,respectively. If none of the buttons is selected, the control returns tostep 160.

The copy process executed at step 170 is the same as the common copyprocess. Therefore, details of step 170 are not described here.

In the following, the print process at step 174, the scan process atstep 172 and the cloud service process at step 176 will be described inorder.

<Print Process>

Referring to FIG. 5, the program executed by MFP 68 when the printprocess is designated by the user includes a step 200 urging the user toconnect external storage device 106 storing the electronic data toexternal storage device connecting unit 104 and waiting until it isconnected; and a step 201 of activating, in response to the connectionof external storage device 106, a browser having two windows.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the screens displayed at step 201. Referringto FIG. 8, the screen 300 includes a file selection window 310 and aregistration window 312 for registration for the cloud service. Fileselection window 310 includes a list of file names such as file names330, 332 and 334 obtained by reading all pieces of file informationrecorded on external storage device 106, and an OK button 336.Registration window 312 includes texts urging the user to register forthe cloud service, and a registration start button 350 operated toactivate the registration process on server 62.

Actually, screen 300 is realized by a browser having two windows 310 and312 and a script operated on the browser, and it is displayed onoperation display unit 100 at step 201. Windows 310 and 312 are capableof communication with the server independent from each other. Basically,file selection window 310 and registration window 312 have separateforms. The user registration process using registration window 312 ofthese two windows is activated only when registration start button 350(FIG. 8) is operated, and the process is substantially executed byserver 62. In FIG. 5, this process is shown as step 218 branched fromstep 201. In the following, the process using file selection window 310will be mainly described.

File selection on file selection window 310 is realized by locallyexecuting a script. Display of file list on window 310 is realized by ascript locally executed on the browser. The process of selecting a filefrom the file list is also realized by a script locally executed on thebrowser. After file selection, when the user presses OK button 336, alocally executed script reads the target file from external storagedevice 106 and transmission to server 62 starts.

The program further includes a step 202 of waiting until the userselects a file on file selection window 310; and a step 204 ofdetermining whether the file selected at step 202 has a file format(such as JPEG) that can be processed inside MFP 68, and branching thecontrol flow depending on the result of determination.

On the other hand, registration window 312 also operates as a browserwindow independent from file selection window 310. In the example shownin FIG. 8, when the user presses registration start button 350, a formconstituting registration window 312 is transmitted to server 62, whichserves as a request for activating the user registration process. Theuser registration process is not started until the user pressesregistration start button 350. If the user registration process is notstarted, registration window 312 disappears when the print process ends.

Electronic data are formed in various file formats. Some are in verycommon file formats and others may be in file formats that can beprocessed only by specific applications of specific software developer.If the file is of a particular file format, it is often the case thatthe file cannot be printed by the user's own PC. In such a situation, itwould be very convenient if printing of the file is possible by MFP 68or the like in the public space. One of the reasons why MFP 68 isimportant is that it enables printing of data in such a file format thatis difficult to print by a common PC.

Though there is no problem if data of a common file format is printed,if data of a not-so-common file format is to be printed by MFP 68, anapplication capable of handling the data of the file format must beprepared in MFP 68. Since MFP 68 is installed at many public spaces, itis impractical to prepare applications corresponding to a large numberof file formats in each MFP. Therefore, in the present embodiment, MFP68 is adapted to be capable of internally processing files of limitedfile formats only, and data of other file formats are converted to printdata by server 62 and the print data is passed to MFP for printing.Thus, applications for processing various and many file formats must beprepared only in server 62 and only the limited applications have to beprepared in MFP 68.

With such an arrangement, if the determination at step 204 is positive,the control proceeds to step 206, at which MFP 68 generates print datafrom the file selected at step 202, the image of print data is formed ona recording medium at step 208, and the process ends.

If the determination at step 204 is negative, MFP 68 transmits the fileselected at step 202 to server 62 at step 210. As described above, theprocess is realized by the script locally operating on the browser andthe form transmission from the browser to server 62.

After the file is transmitted to server 62 at step 210, MFP 68 waits atstep 212 until transmission of the print data generated from the filefrom server 62 starts. If the transmission of print data from server 62starts (YES at step 212), the print data is received successively (steps214 and 216), and if the reception is complete (YES at step 216), thecontrol proceeds to step 208. At step 208, the image based on thereceived print data is formed on the recording medium and the processends, as described above.

Referring to FIG. 6, receiving the request for activating the printprocess from an MFP such as MFP 68, server 62 executes the followingprogram. The program includes a step 230 of receiving the file to beprinted from MFP 68; a step 232 of transmitting to MFP 68 a responseinstructing display of a message “WAIT UNTIL PRINTING IS COMPLETE” inconnection with the file received at step 230; a step 234 of generatingprint data from the data received at step 230; and a step 236 oftransmitting, after generation of the print data is completed, the printdata to MFP 68 and ending the process. Actually, every time a file to beprinted is received from an image forming apparatus, execution of theprogram shown in FIG. 6 starts. The response transmitted at step 232 isa response in HTML format, and it is displayed, for example, in the formof a message screen 380 shown in FIG. 9, on file selection window 310 ofFIG. 8.

On the other hand, if the request for activating the process forperforming user registration for the cloud service is received by server62, server 62 activates the user registration process. The programrealizing the process has such a control structure as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the program includes a step 260 of receiving therequest for activation (transmitted at step 218 of FIG. 5) from MFP 68and activating the user registration process; and a step 262 oftransmitting a response for displaying the user registration screen toMFP 68. The user registration screen is of HTML format, and on operationdisplay unit 100 of MFP 68, it is displayed as user registration screen382 such as shown in FIG. 9 on registration window 312 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, user registration screen 382 includes a user IDfield 390, a password field 392, a mail address field 394, a soft keyarea 396 for input, and an OK button 398. The fields included in userregistration screen 382 are all commonly used at the time of userregistration and, therefore, details thereof will not be described here.

Again referring to FIG. 7, the user registration process program furtherincludes: a step 264, following step 262, of determining whether or notan input of user registration (HTTP request in a form format) using userregistration screen 382 has been transmitted from MFP 68; and a step266, executed if the determination at step 264 is positive, ofregistering the user information with a user database, not shown, usingthe transmitted user information. Actually, at step 266, it is necessaryto check presence/absence of the same user ID and the like. Theseprocesses, however, are common and, therefore, details will not bedescribed here.

The program further includes: a step 268, following step 266, of formingan electronic mail notifying registration for the cloud service to theregistered user and transmitting the electronic mail to the addressentered in mail address field 394 of FIG. 9; and a step 270, followingstep 268, of transmitting an instruction to MFP 68 to register ashort-cut to the cloud service in external storage device 106 of MFP 68and ending the process. Since a short-cut is registered with externalstorage device 106, the user can easily access the cloud service nexttime, using the short-cut.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the main text of the mail transmitted to themail address of the user at step 268. The main text 420 of mail includesa message notifying completion of registration, a URL 430 for accessingthe cloud service, and user ID 432 and password 434 that are registered.Password 434 may not be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the program further includes; a step 272, executedif the determination at step 264 is negative, of determining whether ornot transmission of print data from server 62 to MFP 68 has beencompleted, and returning the control to step 264 if not; and a step 273of displaying, when transmission of the print data is completed, acancel button for cancelling the user registration on the userregistration screen shown in FIG. 9 and waiting for a user input. If theuser continues input for user registration and presses the OK button atstep 273, the control proceeds to step 266, and if the user presses thecancel button, the control proceeds to step 274. If the OK button ispressed, the user registration is done through steps 266, 268 and 270, aprint complete message 412 and registration complete message 414 shownin FIG. 10 are displayed on operation display unit 100, and the processends. If the cancel button is pressed, the screen is cleared at step274, and the process ends.

<Scan Process>

Referring to FIG. 12, the program for realizing the scan process in MFP68 has the following control structure. The program includes: a step 440of waiting until external storage device 106 is connected to externalstorage device connecting unit 104; and a step 441 of displaying, whenexternal storage device 106 is connected, a screen similar to that shownin FIG. 8 but having a document reading screen in place of fileselection window 310 on operation display unit 100. The window isrealized by a browser capable of operating the left side and the rightside independent from each other. Thereafter, setting of scan conditionsis done on the left window and the user registration process is done onthe right window. Specifically, step 441 of FIG. 12 effectively resultsin simultaneous activation of the process for setting the scanconditions and the process for user registration by the browser. Here,the step corresponding to the process of user registration isrepresented by step 456. At step 456, the same window as registrationwindow 312 on the right side of FIG. 8 is displayed. When registrationstart button 350 is pressed, the message is transmitted as a request foractivating the user registration process to server 62, and the userregistration process utilizing the browser screen is activated. Thecontents will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. The processexecuted by MFP 68 for user registration is the same as the commonbrowser operation and, therefore, details thereof will not be describedhere.

The program shown in FIG. 12 further includes: a step 442 of determiningwhether or not the user has input settings of scan conditions; a step444, executed if the input for setting scan conditions has been done(YES at step 442), of changing the scan conditions of MFP 68 inaccordance with the user input, and returning the control to step 442;and a step 446, executed if it is determined at step 442 that the inputfor setting scan conditions has not been done, of determining whether ornot the start button is pressed, and returning the control to step 442if not.

The program further includes: a step 450, executed if it is determinedat step 446 that the start button has been pressed, of reading adocument placed on document reading unit 98 by controlling documentreading unit 98, and converting the result to electronic data; a step452 of saving the scanned data in external storage device 106; and astep 454, following the completion of the process at step 452, oftransmitting notification that the scan process is finished, to server62 and ending the process.

When the user pressed registration start button 350 at step 456 of FIG.12, the request for activating the user registration process istransmitted to server 62. In response to the activation request, server62 activates a program having the following control structure. Referringto FIG. 13, the program includes: a step 460 of activating the userregistration process in response to the activation request; and a step462 of transmitting an http response for displaying the userregistration screen to the MFP. Receiving the response, the browser isactivated in MFP 68, and the user registration screen similar to screen300 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

The program further includes: a step 466, following step 462, ofdetermining whether OK button 398 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed; a step468, after OK button 398 is pressed and user registration data is input,of registering the user information with a user database (not shown) forthe cloud service; a step 470 of transmitting an electronic mailnotifying the user of registration for the cloud service; and a step 472of transmitting an instruction to MFP 68 to register a short-cut to thecloud service with the external storage device 106 and ending theprocess.

The program further includes: a step 474, executed if it is notdetermined at step 466 that OK input is received, of determining whetherthe notification of scan process completion has been received from MFP68 (step 454 of FIG. 12), and returning the control to step 466 if not;and a step 475, executed if it is determined at step 474 that thenotification of scan process completion has been received, of displayinga screen similar to that of FIG. 9 and additionally including a cancelbutton for cancelling the user registration, and waiting for user input.If the OK button is pressed at step 475, the control proceeds to step468. If the cancel button is pressed at step 475, an instruction toclear the user registration screen is transmitted to MFP 68 at step 476,and the process ends.

As the program described above is executed in MFP 68 and server 62, thescanning process and the process for executing user registration for thecloud service simultaneously with scanning by MFP 68 can be realized.

<Cloud Service Process>

The process for realizing the cloud service includes two differentprograms, that is, one for accessing the cloud service from a smallterminal such as a smart phone, and the other for accessing the cloudservice from a terminal having relatively ample hardware resources. Inthe example described below, the program is mainly controlled by server62, and the terminal operates for input to/output from server 62, usingthe browser. In the following, details of the program running on server62 will be described, where the terminal is a smart phone 64. Theprogram executed when the terminal is MFP 68 or the like will bedescribed later, with reference to FIG. 21 and the following figures.

(Access from Smart Phone to Cloud Service)

Referring to FIG. 14, the program includes a step 490 of log-in processof the user. Here, under the control of server 62, the browser isactivated by smart phone 64, and a log-in screen 530 such as shown inFIG. 15 is displayed by the browser.

Referring to FIG. 15, log-in screen 530 includes a user ID field 532, apassword field 534, a soft keyboard area 536, and an OK button 538. Foreasier understanding, common alphabets are shown in password field 534in FIG. 15. By adding password attribute to the field, however, theinput password comes to be displayed as prescribed characters (forexample, dots (•)). By entering the user ID to user ID field 532 andpassword to password field 534 and pressing OK button 538, the user IDand the password are transmitted to server 62. If the combination existsin a user database, not shown, server 62 permits log-in of the user, anddenies if not. Such checking related to the user ID and the password isa routine operation and, therefore, details are not shown in the exampleof FIG. 14.

The program further includes: a step 492 of forming a list of files tobe the object of operation when log-in process at step 490 issuccessful, both for the server (for downloading) and for the smartphone (for uploading); and a step 494 of displaying an operation menu ona screen by the browser of smart phone 64, using the file list formed atstep 492.

Referring to FIG. 16, a file operation menu 550 includes a monu tab 560for uploading, a menu tab 562 for downloading, and a log-out button 564.What is shown in FIG. 16 is a menu for uploading, which includes a filelist including file names 570 and 572 in the smart phone to be theobject of uploading, and an upload button 574. The menu for downloadingis shown in FIG. 19. Referring to FIG. 19, the menu for downloadingincludes a file list including file names 640 and 640 in the server tobe the object of downloading, and a download button 644. The menu foruploading and the menu for downloading can be switched by pressing menutab 560 for uploading and menu tab 562 for downloading. Which of menutab 560 for uploading and menu tab 562 for downloading is to bedisplayed at step 494 may be set by the user. Here, it is assumed thatmenu tab 560 for uploading is displayed as a default. In the displayprovided at step 494, upload button 574 of menu tab 560 for uploadingand download button 644 of menu tab 562 for downloading are bothgrayed-out and inoperable.

Again referring to FIG. 14, the program further includes a step 496 ofdetermining what operation is selected by the user, and branching thecontrol flow depending on the result of determination. The relationsbetween the operations by the user and the steps executed in response tothe operations are as follows. It is noted that, in the programdescribed below, when the menu for uploading is displayed on the screen,only the elements of the menu for uploading can be operated. Similarly,when the menu for downloading is displayed, only the elements of themenu for downloading can be operated. Further, no matter which isselected, the control returns to step 496 when the process ends.

(1) When a file name on the menu for uploading is selected

The control proceeds to step 498, at which the selected file name ishighlighted. At step 500, upload button 574 is set to an operable state.

(2) When a file name on the menu for downloading is selected

The control proceeds to step 502, at which the selected file name ishighlighted. At step 504, download button 644 is set to an operablestate.

(3) When menu tab 560 for uploading is selected

The control proceeds to step 506, at which the menu for upload operationis displayed.

(4) When menu tab 562 for downloading is selected

The control proceeds to step 508, at which the menu for downloadoperation is displayed.

(5) When upload button 574 is operated

The control proceeds to step 510, at which the selected file is uploadedfrom the smart phone to the server. Details of this operation will bedescried later with reference to FIG. 17. At step 512, the list ofuploaded files is formed. As a result of this process, the file list foruploading is returned to the initial state. At step 514, the uploadoperation menu is displayed.

(6) When download button 644 is operated

The control proceeds to step 516, at which the selected file isdownloaded from the server to the smart phone. Details of this operationwill be described later with reference to FIG. 20. At step 518, the listof downloaded files is formed. As a result of this process, the filelist for downloading is returned to the initial state. At step 520, thedownload operation menu is displayed.

(7) When log-out button 564 is operated

The control proceeds to step 522, at which an operation for log-out isdone, and thereafter, execution of the program ends. The operation forlog-out includes saving user operation history on the server side, anddisplaying a screen indicating log-out on the smart phone screen.

(Upload Process)

Referring to FIG. 17, at step 510 of FIG. 14, the following uploadprocess is executed. First, the designated file in the smart phone isreceived from the smart phone (step 590). The file is saved in an areafor the logged-in user in the storage device of the server (step 592).The saved file is converted to print data using an appropriateapplication (step 594). The generated print data is saved in associationwith the file received from the smart phone, in the storage device (step596). To the mail address of the logged-in user, an electronic mailnotifying that conversion to print data has been completed is sent (step598), and the process ends.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the electronic mail sent to the user at step598. Referring to FIG. 18, the electronic mail 610 includes a subjectbox 620 and a main text box 622. Though simplified here, the cloudservice name may be displayed on subject box 620, and names of the filesthat are ready to print may be displayed in main text box 622.

(Download Process)

Referring to FIG. 20, details of the download process executed at step516 of FIG. 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, this processincludes a step 660 of reading the file as the object of downloading(file in the server) designated by the smart phone from the storagedevice of the server and transmitting it to the terminal. The terminalreceives the file and saves the file in a storage device in theterminal. When transmission of the file is completed, the downloadprocess ends.

(Access from MFP 68 to the Cloud Service)

In the present embodiment, processes available when MFP 68 uses thecloud service include the process of downloading the print data alreadygenerated by the cloud service and forming the image thereof on arecording medium using image forming unit 102 (“print process”) and theprocess of reading a document by controlling document reading unit 98and saving the obtained document data in server 62 (“document savingprocess”).

Referring to FIG. 21, in MFP 68, when cloud service button 146 ispressed on the screen shown in FIG. 3, the following program is executedby MFP 68. The following process is the same as that executed by atypical browser. The program includes: a step 680 of activating thebrowser as a display program for operation display unit 100 andconnecting the browser to the server; and a step 682 of branching thecontrol flow depending on whether any response (instruction) is receivedfrom the server. The program further includes: a step 684 of executing aprocess in accordance with the instruction from the server if a responseis received from the server; a step 686 of determining whether or notuse of the cloud service is to be terminated, and branching controlflow; and a step 688 of closing the browser in response to thedetermination that the use of cloud service is to be terminated,resuming the display of standby screen shown in FIG. 3 and endingexecution of the program. If it is not determined at step 686 that theuse of cloud service is to be terminated, the control returns to step682.

The program further includes: a step 690, executed if it is determinedat step 682 that any response has not been received from the server, ofdetermining whether or not there is a user input through operationdisplay unit 100, and returning the control to step 682 if not; and astep 692, executed if it is determined at step 690 that there has been auser input, transmitting a request in accordance with the input to theserver, and returning the control to step 682.

Referring to FIG. 22, the program executed by the server in response tothe process of FIG. 21 includes: a step 710 of causing the browser ofMFP 68 to display the log-in screen, to allow log-in process by theuser; a step 712, executed if the log-in process at step 710 issuccessful, of forming the upload file list from the files of MFP 68 andforming the download file list from the files of the server,respectively; a step 714 of displaying the operation menu on the browserof MFP 68, using the file lists formed at step 712; and a step 716 ofbranching the control flow based on a request transmitted from thebrowser when the user makes any operation.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the log-in screen 750 displayed on operationdisplay unit 100 of MFP 68 at step 710. Log-in screen 750 is similar tolog-in screen 530 from the smart phone shown in FIG. 15, and it includesa user ID field 760, a password field 762, a soft keyboard area 764, andan OK button 766. For easier understanding, common alphabets are shownin password field 762 in FIG. 23. By adding password attribute to thefield, however, the input password comes to be displayed as prescribedcharacters (for example, dots (•)). By entering the user ID to user IDfield 760 and password to password field 762 and pressing OK button 766,the user ID and the password are transmitted to server 62. If thecombination exists in a user database, not shown, server 62 permitslog-in of the user, and denies if not.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the operation menu screen displayed at step714 of FIG. 22. The operation menu 780 includes a file list pane 790, afunction selection menu 792, an OK button 794 and a log-out button 796.Function selection menu 792 includes a print button 800 for executingthe print process, and a document saving button 802 for executing aprocess for reading a document and saving the document data. File listpane 790 displays file names of the print data formed from the files ofthe user and saved in server 62, in the form of a list.

In the present embodiment, when operation menu 780 is displayed for thefirst time, print button 800 and document saving button 802 are not inthe selected state, and none of the file names in file list pane 790 isin the selected state, either. In such a state, the server cannot startany process and, therefore, OK button 794 is grayed-out and in aninoperable state.

Again referring to FIG. 22, the relations between the operationsdetected at step 716 and the processes activated by the respectiveoperations are as follows. No matter which is selected, the controlreturns to step 716 when the process ends.

(1) When any of the file names in file list pane 790 is selected

When any of the file names in file list pane 790 is designated, the filename is highlighted at step 718, and the file name is stored. After step718, at step 720, if print button 800 has already been selected, OKbutton 794 is set to the operable state, and if not, the operation menuis displayed with the OK button 794 set in the inoperable state.

(2) Print button 800

If print button 800 is operated when document saving button 802 has beenhighlighted, the highlight is cancelled, and print button 800 ishighlighted (step 722). FIG. 25 shows operation menu 780 in which a fileof “INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCT” is selected and print button 800 isselected. As shown in FIG. 25, in the present embodiment, the selectedbutton is highlighted for emphasis. Thereafter, the control proceeds tostep 720, at which OK button 794 is set to the operable state if any ofthe file names as the object of printing is selected, and sets OK button794 to the inoperable state if not.

(3) Document Saving Button 802

If document saving button 802 is operated when print button 800 ishighlighted, the highlight is canceled, and document saving button 802is highlighted (step 824). The operation menu in which OK button 794 isoperable is displayed. FIG. 28 shows operation menu 780 in whichdocument saving button 802 is highlighted.

(4) OK button 794

When OK button 794 is pressed, first, whether or not print button 800 isselected is determined (step 728). If print button 800 is selected,whether or not any of the files in file list pane 790 is selected isdetermined (step 730). If none of the files is selected, an operationmenu including an error message is displayed (step 732). If any file isselected, the print process as will be described later is performed(step 734), and a print end menu 840 such as shown in FIG. 27 isdisplayed (step 736). Print end menu 840 includes a message 850indicating completion of printing and a log-out button 852. In thisembodiment, when printing of one file ends, log-out is the only optionfor the user.

At step 728, if it is determined that not the print button 800 but thedocument saving button 802 is selected, the document saving process,which will be described later, is executed at step 738. Thereafter, atstep 740, a saving end menu is displayed. An example of the saving endmenu is shown in FIG. 30. Referring to FIG. 30, saving end menu 890includes a message 900 indicating the name of the saved file, and alog-out button 902. What is operable in saving end menu 890 is only thelog-out button 902. Therefore, if the document saving process is done,in the present embodiment, log-out is the only option after the end ofthe process.

(5) Log-out Button 796, 852 or 902

If log-out button 796, 852 or 902 is operated, the log-out process isexecuted at step 742, the standby screen is displayed on MFP 68, andexecution of the program ends.

(Printing Process)

The control structure of the program executed at step 734 of FIG. 22will be described with reference to FIG. 26. First, the print datacorresponding to the selected file is read from the storage device ofserver 62 (step 820). The read file is transmitted to MFP 68 at thefollowing step 822, and the process ends.

(Document Saving Process)

The control structure of the program for realizing the document savingprocess executed at step 738 of FIG. 22 will be described with referenceto FIG. 29. In this process, first, an operation for setting documentreading conditions is received. The conditions set here include type ofdocument, magnification, whether collective processing such as 2-in-1 isrequested, and setting of color or black-and-white. At the next step872, a command to read a document is sent, together with the documentreading conditions, to MFP 68. In response to the command, MFP 68 startsreading the document and generates document data. At step 874, MFP 68 isinstructed to transmit the read document to server 62, and the controlwaits for the document data. In response to the command, MFP 68transmits the document data page by page to server 62. At step 876, thedocument data transmitted from MFP 68 is received and saved. When thereception and saving are executed for all document data, the documentsaving process ends.

[Operation]

The system operates in the following manner. Here, how the MFP, smartphone and the server constituting the system operate in four processes,that is, (1) printing of a file from the MFP, (2) reading of a documentby the MFP, (3) uploading of a file from the smart phone and (4)printing of the uploaded file by the MFP, will be described.

(1) Printing of a File from the MFP

Here, the user has a document file to be printed stored in advance inexternal storage device 106. It is assumed that the document file is ofa format that cannot be printed by the MFP, and hence, it requiresgeneration of print data by the server. The screen on the MFP is thestandby screen shown in FIG. 3.

When the file is to be printed, the user goes to the MFP, holdingexternal storage device 106. The user selects print button 144 onstandby screen 130. Then, by the determination at step 160 of theprogram shown in FIG. 4, in the MFP, the process of step 174 isexecuted. At step 174, the program shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

The program shown in FIG. 5 urges the user to connect the externalstorage device 106 storing the electronic data to external storagedevice connecting unit 104, and waits until it is connected (step 200).When the user connects external storage device 106 to external storagedevice connecting unit 104, the MFP activates the browser in place ofthe native UI. The browser displays screen 300 shown in FIG. 8. Thebrowser includes file selection window 310 and registration window 312for the cloud service. On file selection window 310, the list of filesin external storage device 106 is displayed, by the locally executedscript. On the other hand, a form such as shown in the figure isdisplayed in the HTML format in window 312. These windows operateseparately from each other.

—Process by File Selection Window 310—

MFP 68 reads all pieces of information of the files recorded on externalstorage device 106, displays the screen of file selection window 310 bythe browser, and waits until the user selects a file (step 202).

When the user selects a file from the file list on file selection window310 and presses OK button 336, MFP 68 determines whether the selectedfile can be processed for printing inside MFP 68. Here, it is assumedthat the selected file cannot be processed in MFP 68. Therefore, thecontrol proceeds to step 210 of FIG. 5. At step 210, MFP 68 transmitsthe selected file to server 62. Thereafter, MFP 68 waits at step 212until transmission of the print data generated from the file from server62 starts.

On the other hand, when the file to be printed is transmitted from MFP68, in the server, the process shown in FIG. 6 is activated. At step230, the file is received, and at step 232, in order to display amessage that the print data is being generated on file selection window310, a document in the HTML format for displaying the message istransmitted to the browser of MFP 68 (step 232). Then, server 62 selectsan appropriate application for the received file, generates the printdata (step 234), transmits the generated print data to MFP 68, and endsthe process.

Again referring to FIG. 5, MFP 68 waits until transmission of the printdata from server 62 starts (NO at step 212), and if the transmissionstarts (YES at step 212), successively receives the transmitted printdata (steps 214 and 216). When reception of all print data is completed(YES at step 216), MFP 68 forms an image on the received print data on arecording medium, and ends the process.

—Process by Registration Window 312—

Registration window 312 operates simultaneously and parallel with fileselection window 310, as a browser window independent from fileselection window 310. In the example shown in FIG. 8, when the userpresses registration start button 350, the form constitutingregistration window 312 is transmitted to server 62, and serves as atrigger for activating the user registration process. If the user doesnot press registration start button 350, no operation is executed inconnection with the user registration, and when the printing ends,registration window 312 is erased. Here, it is assumed that the userpresses registration start button 350. The request for starting the userregistration process is transmitted to server 62 at step 218 of FIG. 5.In response to the start request, server 62 starts the user registrationprocess shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, at steps 260 and 262, user registration screen 382shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the right half of screen 300. When theuser enters necessary piece of information to user ID field 390,password field 392 and mail address field 394 and presses OK button 398before completion of print data transmission (determination at step 272is NO), the determination at step 264 becomes YES in FIG. 7, so thatsteps 266, 268 and 270 are successively executed and user registrationis complete.

If the transmission of print data is completed before the input by theuser is complete (YES at step 272), at step 274, a screen similar touser registration screen 382 displayed at step 264 and additionallyhaving a button for confirming whether or not user registration is to becontinued is displayed on operation display unit 100 of MFP 68, and thecontrol waits for the user input. If the user presses the cancel buttonand stops registration, the user registration screen is cleared at step274, and the process ends without user registration. If the user enterspieces of information necessary for user registration and presses OKbutton 398, the process proceeds to step 266, and thereafter, the userregistration is done in accordance with the procedure described above.

When printing and user registration are both completed, the screen shownin FIG. 10 is displayed on operation display unit 100 of MFP 68. After aprescribed time period, this screen is erased, and standby screen 130shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

At step 268, an electronic mail such as shown in FIG. 11 is transmittedto the user. Then, the user can use the cloud service easily, byaccessing the URL 430 described in the electronic mail and entering theuser ID 432 and password 434 on the displayed log-in screen.

(2) Document Reading by MFP

The document reading by MFP 68 is done in the following manner. Onstandby screen 130 of MFP 68 shown in FIG. 3, the user presses scanbutton 142. In the program (FIG. 4) executed by MFP 68, by thedetermination at step 160, the control proceeds to step 172, at whichthe program having the control structure shown in FIG. 12 is activated.At step 440, a message urging connection of external storage device 106to external storage device connecting unit 104 is displayed, and thecontrol waits until external storage device 106 is connected. Whenexternal storage device 106 is connected to external storage deviceconnecting unit 104, a screen similar to that shown in FIG. 8 isdisplayed on operation display unit 100 (step 441). It is noted,however, that on file selection window 310, a scan setting screen isdisplayed in accordance with an instruction from server 62. Registrationwindow 312 is the same as that displayed in the printing process.

When the user inputs setting of scan conditions, the scan conditions arechanged through process steps 442 and 444. When the user presses abutton that corresponds to OK button 336 shown in FIG. 8, in the processof FIG. 12, scanning of a document starts at step 450 through the pathof steps 442 and 446. The scanned document data is saved in externalstorage device 106 at step 452. When saving ends, a message indicatingthat document reading is complete is transmitted from MFP 68 to server62 at step 454.

On the other hand, if a user wishes to have registration for the cloudservice while the document is scanned by MFP 68 and presses registrationstart button 350, from the browser activated at step 441, a request foractivating the user registration process is transmitted to server 62 atstep 456. As a result, the process shown in FIG. 13 is activated inserver 62.

Referring to FIG. 13, at step 460, server 62 receives the activationrequest, and at step 462, displays the user registration screen similarto user registration screen 382 shown on the right half of FIG. 9, onthe right half of operation display unit 100 of MFP 68. If the userenters necessary pieces of information and presses the OK button beforecompletion of scanning, the process of steps 466, 468, 470 and 472 isexecuted to realize user registration and transmission of notificationmail, and the process ends. If scanning is completed before the userenters necessary pieces of information and presses OK button, thedetermination at step 466 becomes NO and the determination at step 474becomes YES. Consequently, at step 475, a screen corresponding to theuser registration screen and additionally having a cancel button toinstruct cancellation of user registration is displayed, and the controlwaits for the user input. If the cancel button is pressed, the screen iscleared at step 476, and the scanning process ends without userregistration. If the OK button is pressed, the control proceeds to step468, the user registration, transmission of notification mail and thelike are executed in the similar manner as described above, and thedocument reading process ends.

(3) Uploading of a File from a Smart Phone

Assume that the user selects log-in to the cloud service, on a smartphone. The process shown in FIG. 14 is executed in the smart phone.First, the log-in process using log-in screen 530 shown in FIG. 15 takesplace (step 490), the file list for uploading is formed based on thestate of storage device of the smart phone, and the file list fordownloading is formed based on the state of storage device in server 62(step 492). Using these file lists, the file operation menu 550 shown inFIG. 16 is displayed (step 494). In the present embodiment, the menudisplayed as a default at step 494 is the screen for file uploading, andnone of the files is in the selected state. Upload button 574 is in anon-selectable state.

If the user selects a file, by the process of steps 496, 498 and 500 ofFIG. 14, the selected file name is highlighted, and upload button 574 ismade operable. If another file is selected, the same process isrepeated, the highlight display of the file that has been selectedpreviously is cancelled and the newly selected file is highlighted.Assume that after file selection, the user operates upload button 574shown in FIG. 16 and thereby selects uploading of the file to server 62.Then, in the program shown in FIG. 14, the process of steps 496 and 510is executed. At step 510, the selected file is transmitted to server 62.

In response to transmission of the file, in the server, the processshown in FIG. 17 is activated. Referring to FIG. 17, at step 590, thefile from the smart phone is received, and the file is saved in thestorage device (step 592). At step 594, the file is converted to printdata, and at step 596, the converted print data is saved in associationwith the file that has been received from MFP 68 and saved. At step 598,a mail notifying completion of print data generation (see FIG. 18) istransmitted to the mail address of the smart phone user, and the processends.

On the other hand, on the smart phone, through steps 512 and 514 of FIG.14, the upload operation menu in the initial state is again formed anddisplayed, to wait for the next input. When the user presses log-outbutton 564 (FIG. 16), the control proceeds to step 522, at which thelog-out process is executed and log-out from the cloud service iscompleted. On the screen of the smart phone, a normal standby screen isdisplayed.

(4) Printing of the Uploaded File by the MFP

When a file uploaded to server 62 by the smart phone is to be printed,the user conducts the following process on MFP 68. It is assumed that onoperation display unit 100 of MFP 68, standby screen 130 shown in FIG. 3is displayed. The user presses cloud service button 146. Then, in MFP68, the program having the control structure shown in FIG. 21 isactivated. First, at step 680, a browser is activated in place of anative UI of MFP 68, to establish connection with server 62. Thereafter,the operation is the same as that of a common browser. Specifically, ifthere is a response from server 62 (YES at step 682), the processinstructed by the response is executed (step 684), and if theinstruction is to end the process (YES at step 686), the browser isclosed and the normal display of operation display unit 100 is resumed.

If there is no instruction from server 62 at step 682, whether or notthere is any input by the user on operation display unit 100 of MFP 68is determined (step 690), and if there is any input (YES at step 690), arequest in accordance with the request is transmitted to the server 62(step 692), and the control returns to step 682. If there is no input(NO at step 690), the control returns to step 682 without any operation.

In this process, substantial processing is done entirely on the side ofserver 62 and, therefore, only the simple process takes place on theside of MFP 68 as shown above. At the start of this program, a log-inscreen 750 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on operation display unit 100.

On the other hand, if there is any input to log-in screen 750 from thebrowser of server 62, the log-in process of step 710 shown in FIG. 22starts. When log-in is successful, a list of files saved in server 62for the user is formed (steps 712), and an operation menu 780 (FIG. 24)using the file list is displayed (step 714). Here, none of the files infile list pane 790 is selected, and neither a print button 800 nor adocument saving button 802 is selected. OK button 794 is inoperable.Thereafter, at step 716, the control waits for a user operation and,depending on the type of the operation, control flow branches.

Here, it is assumed that the user selects a process of printing a filethat has been uploaded from the smart phone. Here, the operationproceeds such that the user selects any of the file names of file listpane 790 of operation menu 780 shown in FIG. 24, presses print button800 and then presses OK button 794. Though the order of pressing printbutton 800 and selecting a file may be reversed, in the following, it isassumed that the file is selected first and then print button 800 isoperated.

When any of the file names is selected first, step 718 of FIG. 22 isexecuted, and the file name is highlighted. Further, if print button 800has already been selected, OK button 794 becomes operable at step 720.If print button 800 has not been selected, OK button 794 remainsinoperable. Here, only the file is selected, and therefore, OK button794 is inoperable. Thereafter, the control returns to step 716, and thecontrol again waits for a user input.

According to the order of operation mentioned above, the user thenpresses print button 800. Then, in FIG. 22, the control proceeds to step722, and the print button is highlighted. FIG. 25 shows this state.Then, the control proceeds to step 720. In this example, one of thefiles has already been selected and OK button 794 has been selected and,therefore, OK button 794 is operable, ready to receive the user input.

Assume that the user presses OK button 794 in accordance with the orderof operation mentioned above. In the program shown in FIG. 22, theprocess steps 728, 730, 734 and 736 are executed. Specifically, at step734, the program shown in FIG. 26 is activated, the designated file isdownloaded from server 62 to MFP 68 (steps 820 and 822), and printed byMFP 68. Thereafter, the control returns to step 716, to wait for thenext user input.

Though not described in detail here, in the document saving process, theuser operation must follow such an order that server 62 executes steps724 and 726, 728, 738 and 740 in this order.

If the user presses log-out button 796 (see FIG. 24), the process ofstep 742 shown in FIG. 22 is executed, the process of server 62 ends,and a print end menu 840 is displayed on operation display unit 100 ofMFP 68 (FIG. 27).

The configurations and operations of various units and components of thesystem in accordance with the first embodiment have been describedabove. In accordance with the embodiment, when a file is printed by theMFP using the network print system, a screen urging registration for thecloud service of the network print system is displayed. Printing of adocument takes some time. Conventionally, the user simply waits for theend of printing in front of the MFP or kills time therearound. Accordingto the present embodiment, however, registration for the cloud servicecan be done utilizing this time period. Therefore, registration for thecloud service is not a bothersome procedure for the user but a simplework to fill up the time. As a result, reluctance to the registrationfor the cloud service is reduced, and popularity of the cloud servicewould be increased.

Further, according to the embodiment above, in the document scan processthat does not normally require any communication with the server,registration for the cloud service can be done utilizing the time forscanning. As a result, reluctance to spend time for the registration forthe cloud service is reduced, and popularity of the cloud service wouldbe increased.

Second Embodiment

In the embodiment above, the user transmits document data to be printedfrom the smart phone to server 62 of the cloud service, and prints theprint data generated by server 62 on MFP 68. Any user registered for thecloud service can print the print data using any MFP. However, sincedownload of the print data is not started until the print data isrequested from MFP 68, it takes some time until printing by MFP 68actually starts. The second embodiment aims to reduce the wait time.Specifically, in the present embodiment, when generation of print datais requested from the MFP to the server, the MFP is set as a defaultprinter for the user (in the present embodiment, this will be referredto as “MY PRINTER”). Thereafter, if the user uploads print data from,for example, a smart phone to the server, the converted print data istransmitted in advance to the MFP designated as MY PRINTER before therequest for the data is received from the MFP. By the time the userprints the desired file using the MFP designated as MY PRINTER, printingcan be started immediately without downloading the print data anew fromthe server.

In order to realize such a process, it is necessary that each of theMFPs has a unique identification number, for distinguishing from eachother. The embodiment described below is on the premise that suchconditions are satisfied.

[Configuration]

Hardware configurations of server, smart phone, MFP and the like are thesame as those of the first embodiment, and the differences reside mainlyin the programs executed by the server and the corresponding portionsadded to the programs of MFP and the like. In the following, thedifferences will be mainly described.

FIG. 31 shows a control structure of a program executed when printing ofa file by MFP 68 is selected in accordance with the present embodiment,corresponding to the program having the control structure shown in FIG.5 in accordance with the first embodiment. FIG. 31 is different fromFIG. 5 in that in place of step 218 of FIG. 5, it includes a step 930,executed if the user operates a registration start button 350 on aregistration window 960 for user registration shown on the right half ofa screen 950 of FIG. 33, of transmitting the identification number ofMFP 68 operated by the user to server 62. Except for this point, theprogram is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

An example of screen 950 displayed on operation display unit 100 of MFP68 at step 201 is shown. The screen is similar to screen of FIG. 8, thatis, screen 300 (see FIG. 8) displayed at step 202 of FIG. 5, and itincludes file selection window 310 shown in FIG. 8, and a registrationwindow 960 including a message 970 that more speedy printing becomespossible if the currently used MFP is registered as MY PRINTER, in placeof registration window 312 shown in FIG. 8. Except for these points,screen 950 is the same as screen 300.

On the other hand, of the programs running on the server in accordancewith the present embodiment, in place of the one having the controlstructure shown in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, a program having acontrol structure shown in FIG. 32 is used in the server of the systemin accordance with the present embodiment. The program shown in FIG. 32differs from that shown in FIG. 7 in the following points: when the userregistration process is activated at step 260, the identification numberof MFP is received together with the process activation request; andbetween steps 266 and 268, a step 940 of determining whether or notsetting of the MFP to be MY PRINTER is instructed in the formtransmitted with the activation request, and a step 942 of setting, ifthe determination at step 940 is positive, of setting the identificationnumber of MFP transmitted with the activation request as MY PRINTER ofthe user, are newly added. If the determination at step 940 is negative,and after the end of step 942, the control proceeds to step 268. Exceptfor these points, the program is the same as that shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 34 shows a screen 980 displayed on operation display unit 100 ofMFP 68 when the user presses OK button 336 and registration start button350 of FIG. 33, to start generation of the print data by the server andto start registration for the cloud service. Though screen 980 issimilar to screen 300 shown in FIG. 9, it is different in that in placeof user registration screen 382 shown on the right half of screen 300shown in FIG. 9, it includes a user registration screen 990 additionallyincluding a MY PRINTER setting box 1000 for setting whether or notcurrently used MFP 68 is to be registered as MY PRINTER of the user inthe cloud service. Except for this point, screen 980 is the same asscreen 300.

MY PRINTER setting box 1000 includes a text of “MY PRINTER SETTING” andradio buttons 1002 and 1004 for designating whether or not currentlyused MFP 68 is to be set as MY PRINTER of the user. Radio buttons 1002and 1004 are adapted such that when one is selected, selection of theother is cancelled. User registration screen 990 is drawn by the browseras an HTML form, and the input by the user is transmitted as an HTTPrequest to the server.

FIG. 35 shows a screen 1020 displayed on operation display unit 100 ofMFP 68 when the printing and registration processes are completed.Screen 1020 is similar to screen 300 of FIG. 10 in accordance with thefirst embodiment. It is different, however, in that it includes aregistration complete message 1030 including a message text indicatingcompletion of registration and a MY PRINTER setting complete message1032 displayed when setting of MY PRINTER is completed, in place ofregistration complete message 414 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a program,used in the system in accordance with the second embodiment in place ofthe program having the control structure shown in FIG. 17 of the firstembodiment, executed on the side of the server for realizing the processof uploading a file to the server and printing as well as the processfor transmitting the print data to the MFP registered as MY PRINTER inadvance, for the user having registered MY PRINTER.

The program shown in FIG. 36 differs from the program of FIG. 17 in thatit includes, between steps 596 and 598 of FIG. 17, a step 1040 ofdetermining whether or not MY PRINTER is set for the user, andproceeding to step 598 if it is not set, and a step 1042, executed if itis determined at step 1040 that MY PRINTER is set, of transmitting theprint data to the MFP registered as MY PRINTER, and setting on a flag(transmission complete flag) indicating that the print data has alreadybeen transmitted. After step 1042, the control proceeds to step 598. Theprocess following step 598 is the same as that shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programused in the system in accordance with the second embodiment in place ofthe program having the control structure shown in FIG. 22 of the firstembodiment, executed by the server for providing the cloud service forthe user of MFP. The program shown in FIG. 22 is different from that ofFIG. 22 in that it includes, in place of step 734 shown in FIG. 22, astep 1050 for performing a process in consideration of MY PRINTER.Except for this point, FIG. 37 is the same as FIG. 22.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart representing details of step 1050 shown in FIG.37. FIG. 38 is used in the system in accordance with the secondembodiment in place of the program having the control structure shown inFIG. 26 of the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 38 isdifferent from the flowchart of FIG. 26 in that it additionallyincludes, between steps 820 and 822, a step 1060 of determining whetheror not the print request is a print request from the MFP registered asMY PRINTER for the user and proceeding to step 822 if the result ofdetermination is negative, a step 1062, executed if the determination atstop 1060 is positive, of determining whether or not the print datacorresponding to the designated file has already been transmitted(whether or not the transmission complete flag is on) to the MFPregistered as MY PRINTER for the user, and proceeding to step 822 ifnot, and a step 1064, executed if the determination at step 1062 ispositive, of transmitting to the MFP a command instructing the MFP toread the print data corresponding to the selected file from the insideof MFP and execute printing, and ending the process.

The result of determination at step 1060 is positive if the user who hastransmitted the print request has registered MY PRINTER and theidentification number of the registered MFP matches the identificationnumber of the MFP that transmitted the print request, and it is negativeotherwise.

[Operation]

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that MYPRINTER can be set. At the time of using, for example, the printservice, registration window 960 such as shown on the right half of FIG.33 is displayed, and when user registration is selected, MY PRINTERsetting box 1000 such as shown in FIG. 34 is displayed. If radio button1002 is selected on MY PRINTER setting box 1000, at the execution of theprogram shown in FIG. 32, the currently used MFP is set as MY PRINTER ofthe user through the process of steps 940 and 942, in addition to theuser registration of step 266. If setting of MY PRINTER is notdesignated, only the user registration will be executed.

Thereafter, if the user uploads a file from the smart phone to server62, for example, execution of the program shown in FIG. 36 starts, andif the MFP is registered as MY PRINTER for the user (YES at step 1040),the print data generated from the uploaded file is transmitted to theMFP at step 1042 without waiting for a request from the user. If MYPRINTER is not registered, the print data is not transmitted.

Thereafter, if the user selects the cloud service by the MFP, executionof the program having the control structure shown in FIG. 37 starts.Through process steps 710, 712 and 714, the user designates an uploadedfile (steps 716, 718, 720), presses the file print button (steps 716,718, 720) and presses the OK button, and then, through steps 728 and 730of FIG. 37, the process of step 1050 is activated.

At step 1050, the program shown in FIG. 38 operates. The print data ofthe designated file is read (step 820), and determination is made as towhether the print request is from the MFP registered as MY PRINTER forthe user (step 1060). If setting of MY PRINTER is not done, or theidentification number of the MFP from which the request has beentransmitted is different from the identification number of the MFPregistered as MY PRINTER, the print data is transmitted at step 822 tothe MFP that transmitted the print request, and the process ends.

If the print request is from the MFP registered as MY PRINTER, whetheror not the print data of the designated file has already beentransmitted to the MFP is further determined. The determination can bedone by checking the value of transmission complete flag, related to thefile. If the data has already been transmitted, re-transmission is notdone, and a command for printing the print data already saved in the MFPis sent to the MFP (step 1064), and the process ends. If the data hasnot yet been transmitted, the print data is transmitted at step 822 tobe printed by the MFP.

In this manner, if the print data corresponding to the designated filehas already been transmitted to the MFP registered as MY PRINTER and theprint request comes from the MFP, it is unnecessary to execute theprocess of transmitting the print data of step 822. The MFP canimmediately start printing using the stored print data. The time fromwhen the user transmits the print request to the server until printingby the MFP starts can considerably be reduced than when MY PRINTER isnot registered.

Thus, in the second embodiment, in addition to the advantage that sparetime can be used for registration for the cloud service, the advantageprovided by the cloud service itself can be emphasized, stronglymotivating the user to register for the cloud service. As a result,popularity of the cloud service would further be increased.

Both in the first and second embodiments, user registration for thecloud service is possible using operation display unit 100 of the MFP.For the user registration related to the cloud service, it isunnecessary for the user to search for a specific web page for userregistration or to enter a specific URL on his/her own PC. Userregistration for the cloud service can easily be done using the MFP usedfor image formation. Further, when the user starts a process other thanthe user registration process, such as printing of a file utilizing theprint service by the server, on the MFP, the user registration processstarts. It is unnecessary for the user to intentionally start the userregistration process. The user registration can be done effectivelyutilizing the spare time during file printing.

When a document is read using the scanner function of the MFP, if theADF function of the scanner is used, the user comes to have some sparetime while the document is being read. As the user registration processcan be executed utilizing the spare time, the user can complete userregistration for using the service, effectively utilizing the sparetime.

Further, in response to completion of user registration, a short-cut forassisting access to the service is registered in external storage device106 connected to external storage device connecting unit 104. Whenaccessing the service next time, the user can use the short-cut, and thecloud service can be used more easily.

Further, among the users of MFP 68, some users simply take copies andare not likely to use services provided by a remote server. Therefore,of the functions provided by MFP 68, if a function often used by a userwho is likely to use such service (for example, print service by theserver) is executed, the user registration process is started, and if afunction often used by a user who is not likely to use the serverservice (for example, simple copy operation) is executed, the userregistration process is not started. By such an approach, an appropriateguidance for user registration for the cloud service can be presentedwhile an unwanted guidance is not given.

The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and shouldnot be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present invention isdetermined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of thewritten description of the embodiments and embraces modifications withinthe meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-functional image forming apparatus,comprising: communication circuitry configured to enable a registereduser to communicate with a server providing a service related to imageformation; a display operation device having a display device, forreceiving a user operation; and image processing circuitry configured toexecute image processing in response to a user instruction receivedthrough said display operation device; wherein a user registrationprocess for the service provided by said server is started by aprescribed user operation; in response to a first input operation bysaid user received through said display operation device, the displaydevice: displays a user registration process reception screen inaccordance with data received from said server through communicationwith said server via said communication circuitry, and displays, inparallel with said user registration process reception screen, areception screen for receiving an instruction of image processing; saiddisplay device further: receives a second input operation of userinformation by said user through said display operation device, and inresponse to said second input operation by said user through saiddisplay operation device, causes said server to store identificationinformation of said multi-functional image forming apparatus and saiduser information in association with each other, and thereby registerssaid multi-functional image forming apparatus as a usable printer. 2.The multifunctional image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said image processing circuitry is capable of executing aplurality of image processing operations including at least an imagescanning process and an image forming process, said scanning processinvolving scanning of a document and generating image data, and saidimage forming process involving forming of an image on a recordingmedium based on the image data; and said reception screen for receivingsaid instruction of image processing is configured to selectivelyreceive either an instruction of said scanning process or an instructionrelating to said image forming process.
 3. The multifunctional imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image processingcircuitry is configured to execute image processing in parallel with theuser registration process in accordance with said instruction of imageprocessing.
 4. The multifunctional image forming apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said display device is configured to display, inparallel, both a state of image processing executed by said imageprocessing circuitry in accordance with said instruction of imageprocessing, and the user registration process reception screen.
 5. Acontrol method for controlling a multi-functional image formingapparatus including a communication device, a display operation deviceand an image processing device, the method comprising: allowing aregistered user to communicate with a server providing a service relatedto image formation, through said communication device; displaying ascreen image and thereby receiving a user operation through said displayoperation device; performing image processing by said image processingdevice in response to a user instruction received through said useroperation; and executing a user registration process for said serviceprovided by said server; wherein said user registration process isstarted by a prescribed user operation; and said executing of a userregistration process includes: in response to a first input operationreceived through said user operation, displaying on said displayoperation device a user registration process reception screen inaccordance with data received from said server through communicationwith said server at said step of allowing communication, and displaying,on said display operation device, a reception screen for receiving aninstruction of image processing, in parallel with said user registrationprocess reception screen; and said control method further comprises:receiving, at said display operation device, a second input operation ofuser information by said user, and in response to said second inputoperation by said user through said display operation device, causingsaid server to store identification information of said multi-functionalimage forming apparatus and said user information in association witheach other, and thereby registering said multi-functional image formingapparatus as a usable printer.
 6. The control method according to claim5, wherein said image processing device is configured to execute aplurality of image processing operations including at least an imagescanning process and an image forming process, said scanning processinvolving scanning of a document and generating image data, and saidimage forming process involving forming of an image on a recordingmedium based on the image data; and said control method furthercomprises: receiving, via said reception screen receiving saidinstruction of image processing, either an instruction of said scanningprocess or said image forming process.
 7. The control method accordingto claim 5, further comprising: executing, in accordance with saidinstruction of image processing, image processing by said imageprocessing device in parallel with the user registration process.
 8. Thecontrol method according to claim 5, further comprising: the step ofdisplaying a state of image processing executed by said image processingdevice in accordance with said instruction of image processing, inparallel with the user registration process reception screen.